Aurora kinase A (AURKA) mRNA (AURKA mRNA)

Aurora kinase A (AURKA) mRNA is the messenger RNA transcript that encodes the Aurora kinase A protein, a critical serine/threonine kinase involved in the regulation of mitosis [NCBI Gene, 2024]. The protein product is essential for centrosome maturation, spindle assembly, and accurate chromosome segregation during the G2/M transition of the cell cycle [UniProt, 2024]. In many human cancers, AURKA mRNA is significantly overexpressed, which leads to high levels of the kinase that drive oncogenic transformation, genomic instability, and resistance to apoptosis [PubMed, 2023]. Targeting the mRNA transcript itself using RNA-based therapeutics, such as antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) or small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), offers a highly specific strategy to downregulate the AURKA signaling axis at the pre-translational level [Nature Reviews Drug Discovery, 2022]. This approach aims to bypass the limitations of small-molecule inhibitors, such as lack of isoform specificity or the development of acquired resistance in the kinase domain [PubMed, 2022]. By reducing the pool of available mRNA, these therapies can effectively suppress the pro-proliferative and anti-apoptotic functions of Aurora kinase A in various solid tumors and hematological malignancies [PubMed, 2023].

Other names

STK15 mRNABTAK mRNAAIK mRNAAurora-A mRNAAurora-2 mRNAARK1 mRNASerine/threonine-protein kinase 6 mRNA

Degradation of the mRNA transcript via RNA interference (RNAi) or RNase H-mediated cleavage, or inhibition of translation through steric hindrance, thereby preventing the synthesis of the Aurora kinase A protein.